World-renowned composer A.R. Rahman turns 57 today!
If there is any one music composer whose journey can prove to be an inspiration, it's his. From opening a music studio in his backyard in the 1980s to and winning the Academy Award, he is indeed a powerful source of inspiration for all, not just for budding musicians.
Rahman is known to be one of the most iconic musicians in the entire world. Rahman made his musical debut in 1992 as a composer with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film 'Roja' and garnered immediate fame. He made his Bollywood debut with Ram Gopal Varma's 'Rangeela' in 1995. His music style ranges from soulful 'Agar Tum Saath Ho' to power-packed 'Rang De Basanti,' and uplifts you with 'Jai Ho,' and instills a sense of nationalism in you with 'Vande Mataram.' He has managed to dominate the Southern music scene and crawled into Bollywood films and left an imprint.
His notable contributions to the industry reflect in the way each person sings his songs, ranging from 3 year-olds to even 90-year-olds. For his part, the Indian government lauded him with the Padma Bhushan. He has also carved his name on several Indian as well an international awards.
In honour of his talents and on account of his birthday, let’s have a look at some of his best works in Bollywood movies over the years. (Yes, they were extremely tough to choose from.)
'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from 'Dil Se'
Every party is incomplete without this song. After 'Roja,' this marked Ratnam’s filmy genius with Rahman’s musical composition. This pop-folk was based on Sufi music and Urdu poetry, with music composed by A.R. Rahman, written by Gulzar, and sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi. To enhance the song and its visuals, Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora are seen grooving to the song on top of a moving train, choreographed by Farah Khan. The soulful melodies won Rahman a Filmfare Award for Best Musical Director.
'Kun Faya Kun' from 'Rockstar'
The entire soundtrack album of 'Rockstar', rightly termed as 'A Milestone for Bollywood,' was composed by A. R. Rahman. But this song truly stands out from the rest. The soulful qawwali is sung in dedication to Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. The beautiful, heart-touching song was crooned by Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, and Javed Ali. Its music video features Ranbir Kapoor immensed in the soulful instrumental at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. This also won Rahman a Filmfare Award for Best Musical Director.
'Jashn-e-Bahaaraa' from 'Jodhaa Akbar'
After the commercially-hit films 'Lagaan' and 'Swades,' this marks director Ashutosh Gowariker’s third collaboration with Rahman, which earned him a Best Composer Asian Film Award nomination at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. The title track of the film was and continues to be a huge hit. Sung by Javed Ali, the visuals are filmed on the lead roles Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Planet Bollywood reviewed the sountrack album and stated that " the compositions are magical, spectacular, invigorating and above all a wholesome experience you rarely get in soundtracks these days."
'Maahi Ve' from 'Highway'
Though this song did not win Rahman any major accolades, it's a people's favourite! Every person's road trip playlist has this track. The heartfelt song was sung by the Mozart of Madras himself. The best part is you can make this song your friend, your companion, your guide, or even mirror your feelings. If you have watched 'Highway,' then you know this song can't stand out alone without the picturesque backdrop of the mountain valleys with Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda's relationship blooming.
'Luka Chuppi' from 'Rang De Basanti'
From the soulful 'Khoon Chala' and 'Tu Bin Bataye,' to the earthy upbeat 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Roobaroo,' there is all kinds of melodies for all types of listeners in this soundtrack album. A. R. Rahman's melodies have garnered him only positive reviews. The beautiful 'Luka Chuppi' was sung by Rahman in collaboration with the nightingale-voiced Lata Mangeshkar. You'll find yourself falling in love with her voice all over again. Rahman's choice of a gentle, slow-paced rhythm, combined with the late singer's heartfelt singing, beautifully amplifies the song.
'Tere Bina' from 'Guru'
My personal favourite! The Sufi-influenced track features the lead actors and real-life couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. It was composed and sung by Rahman himself along with Murtuza Khan, Quadir Khan and Chinmayi and penned by Gulzar. This love ballad is heavily instrumental and garnered Rahman awards for Best Music Director and Best Background Score at the Filmfare Awards as well as the IIFA awards.
'Jai Ho' from 'Slumdog Millionaire'
But, you know why this song HAS to be a part of the list. Tanvi Shah, Vijay Prakash, Rahman, Mahalakshmi Iyer, and Sukhwinder Singh lent their voices to a song that has been etched in everyone's heart since its release. Featured in the Oscar-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire,' the song captured audiences from all over, earned praise from critics and earned Rahman the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music and two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. He was also awarded Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammys.
A very happy birthday to the music icon, representing India on an international scale.
